Brian Poe receives humanitarian award for disaster relief efforts

Brian Poe-Llamanzares receives Asia’s Modern Hero award for Humanitarian work

At the Asia Modern Hero Awards held in Okada, Manila, Brian Poe-Llamanzares was awarded alongside familiar names such as Senator Joel Villanueva, National Security Advisor Secretary Eduardo Año, Tingog Partylist Representative Congresswoman Yedda Romualdez, and the Commanding General of the Philippine Army Lt. General Roy M. Galido.

The young Poe-Llamanzares is being recognized for over a decade of service in disaster resilience-related efforts. His organization began organizing relief operations in 2013 when Typhoon Maring struck. United by a common purpose, they extended relief packs to the affected.

As the chairman of FPJ Panday Bayanihan, Brian Poe-Llamanzares was recognized as one of “Asia’s Modern Heroes,” specifically being given “Asia’s Humanitarian Distinction Honoring Heroic Contributions.”

Under his leadership, FPJ Panday Bayanihan has continually offered assistance to those in need, even through various trials, such as Typhoon Yolanda, the Marawi siege, and the Taal Volcano eruption.

More recently, the FPJ Panday Bayanihan has distributed relief packs to 2,000 families in Metro Manila and Bulacan who were distressed by the effects of Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) and the strong southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat.

To date, FPJ Panday Bayanihan Foundation has helped over 22,000 families, distributed roughly 45,000 relief packs, and during the pandemic distributed more than 35,000 personal protective equipment.

Poe Llamanzares says that his work is not yet done.

“For as long as there are those in need, our organization will continue to give assistance. We will continue the legacy of my grandfather FPJ,” he said.

Brian Poe-Llamanzares with fellow awardee Commanding General of the Philippine Army Lt. General Roy M. Galido

He goes on to explain that in a speech during the 2004 presidential campaign, his grandfather, Fernando Poe Jr. more fondly known as “FPJ” had once said, “Ang serbisyo ko sayo ay walang katapusan (My service to you will never end).”

He says that this has remained his guiding principle and that his will to serve never wavers whenever he remembers his grandfather and the vision that he had for his people. According to Poe-Llamanzares, that is the reason why he named his organization after his grandfather.

“My grandfather was never given the chance to serve. All he wanted to do was help people. My mother, Senator Grace Poe, and I have made it our goal to take care of the people FPJ loved so much,” he said.

Senator Joel Villanueva receives Asia’s Modern Hero Award

Poe-Llamanzares continues to travel around the Philippines providing assistance to victims of disasters, fires, famine, conflict, and extreme poverty.

He dedicated the award to the people who have supported his vision of “Bayanihan” (heroism), especially the FPJ youth volunteers who dedicated their help purely in the service of their fellow Filipinos while balancing school and growing as the next generation of young leaders in the country.

FPJ Panday Bayanihan and Brian Poe were selected by the Awards Council which is composed of six individuals, namely:

• Sergio Ortis-Luis, Jr. – President, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP).
• Consul Enunina Mangio – President, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
• Cristina Gonzales Romualdez – Philanthropist, Actress, Product endorser and City Mayor.
• Congresswoman Marissa Del Mar Magsino – OFW Party-List Representative, Assistant Minority Floor Leader
• USEC. Vidal D. Villanueva III – Deputy Director General – TESDA-Operations
• VP Owen SP Sanchez – Asia’s Modern Hero Awards International Ambassador.